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Recurrent atrial fibrillation with nausea and vomiting
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|April 1, 1978
Summary
Severe nausea and vomiting triggered atrial fibrillation in a man with new Meniere's syndrome. Intense vagal stimulation leading to bradycardia likely caused the arrhythmia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- New onset Meniere's syndrome characterized by tinnitus, vertigo, and deafness.
- A previously healthy 40-year-old male presented with these symptoms.
Observation:
- The patient experienced two episodes of atrial fibrillation during severe nausea and vomiting.
- No underlying organic cause for the arrhythmia was identified.
Findings:
- Diagnostic tests including Holter monitoring, maximal treadmill stress testing, and sinus node recovery times were normal.
- The likely cause of atrial fibrillation was intense vagal stimulation, leading to subsequent bradycardia and dispersion of the atrial tissue refractory period.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential link between severe gastrointestinal distress, vagal nerve stimulation, and cardiac arrhythmias in patients with Meniere's syndrome.
- Highlights the importance of considering vagal triggers in unexplained arrhythmias, particularly in the context of vestibular disorders.